Veteran Health Care Navigator

The YWCA Greater Harrisburg is seeking a full-time Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Health Care Navigator. This position will work with SSVF enrolled Veteran households on a variety of issues to assist them in identifying and overcoming challenges to accessing the healthcare system or adhering to recommended health care plans. The Health Care Navigator will assist Veterans to gain access to the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and/or alternate health care, identify barriers to accessing health care, and provide information and education on wellness related topics. The Health Care Navigator works closely with household members to assist them in accessing health care needs that impact housing stability.

Position Details: 

• Hours: 37.5 hour work week; Monday-Friday 8am-4pm; with a rotational on-call schedule.
• Salary: $22.56/hr.

Successful Candidates Will Be Responsible for:

• Conduct Outreach Activities in areas frequented by homeless individuals to identify and assess as potential program participants.
• Engage, interview, and conduct non-clinical assessments with the participant and household members to identify barriers to accessing health care services.
• Assist participant in accessing health care systems to include entry into VA health care including behavioral/mental health care, or community care when not eligible for VA health care services.
• Connect participants to VA health care by working with the appropriate VA Medical Center to facilitate the enrollment process to include helping to gather documentation and complete required paperwork.
• Track progress and follow up on status to ensure that the participant is enrolled in VA or community health care services.
• Communicate with participants and health care teams to get access to initial and follow up appointments when needed.
• Assist participants in utilizing available services including preventative health care.
• Work with the participant’s assigned multidisciplinary team including administrative, social work, nursing, and medical staff to ascertain need and appropriate interventions.
• Ensure that participants are aware of established Veterans’ rights to include grievance procedures and procedures to report fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Work with VA and Community providers to provide the Veteran household with education on topics that emphasize the importance of health care.
• Document case management, supportive service provision, ISP development and progress, and other supporting activities within established program guidelines.
• Coordinate with SSVF staff to identify specific health care needs that impact housing appropriateness to include assistance with inspecting potential housing for accessibility.
• Ensure that the Veteran household has access to nutritional food, hygiene, and other wellness items to support a healthy lifestyle.
• Coordinate with the Continuums of Care (CoC) located within the service area to promote participation in each CoC, Coordinated Entry process.
• Coordinate with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA) facilities and programs to include direct coordination with VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) department to promote effective and efficient access to a myriad of VA programs to meet homeless and at-risk Veteran household’s holistic needs.
• Assist Veteran household participants in identifying and obtaining VA and mainstream benefits and services that support health care, behavioral health, and recovery goals to include access to SOAR services.
• Assist in Development of an Exit Plan for participants that leave the program to include identification of linkages to services that support long-term health care goals.

Position Requirements: 

• Master’s Degree in Social Work with two years’ experience or Related Degree with equivalent expertise in Health Care Navigation.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of VA and Mainstream health care services to include behavioral and mental health, health, and wellness systems of care, obtaining access to benefits and other supportive services.
• Ability to conduct outreach, case management, program, and organizational activities during normal working hours, some evening hours, and occasional weekends as required.
• Valid driver's license, clean driving history, and reliable personal vehicle. Proof of insurability may also be required.
• Current FBI, criminal, and child abuse clearance or the ability and willingness to obtain.

Our Awesome Benefits Include:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible spending account
• Life Insurance 
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Professional development assistance
• Pension retirement plan
• Paid time off
• 11 paid holidays